Various Moths and Butterflies 19th century

Kubo Shunman created this print of various moths and butterflies with ink and color on paper. These winged creatures, symbols of transformation and the ephemeral nature of life, flutter across cultures. Consider the butterfly, long associated with the soul. In ancient Greece, Psyche, the soul, was often depicted with butterfly wings, embodying the journey of the spirit. This transformation, from earthly caterpillar to ethereal winged being, resonates deeply in our collective psyche, doesn't it? It reflects our own yearning for change and transcendence. Even the ephemeral nature of moths, drawn to the flame, speaks to our fascination with light and shadow, life and death. These motifs are not merely aesthetic choices, they are powerful symbols that engage us on a deep, subconscious level, echoing through time, resurfacing, and evolving in meaning.